There's no general election in sight but with things in a state of constant flux, there's really no telling when the political landscape will be dramatically altered. And that's why the UDP certain that elections will be sooner rather than later is already talking about its manifesto. The Party today unveiled what it calls the first plank of that manifesto package and it was all about reform. Here's the story.
Dean Barrow, UDP Leader
"Never in our history has there been a crisis such as the present one. We are now being governed by a kleptocracy and a mad dictatorship that has had to resort to soldiers and policemen, guns and clubs to keep the people of Belize at bay as they call for the government to go."
And while Barrow says the people are ready for this government to go, he concedes that they may not be quite ready for one led by him to step in.
Dean Barrow,
"While we are all agreed on the need for those that have robbed and raped us to depart at once, there is some anxiety as to what comes thereafter."
And into that breach of doubt and uncertainty Barrow proposes to lead the UDP. And to encourage confidence in a mostly untested lot, he turned to the record of the only un-elected man at the head table but the one closest to the leader, Former Prime Minister Manuel Esquivel.
Dean Barrow,
"Of course the United Democratic Party has a record, and there is nothing unknown about us. We first came to government in 1984 when conditions were similar to now. Yet, even when we were indeed untried and untested we turned things around and recorded an economic growth rate just under 8% between 1984 and 1989. The United Democratic Party is ready to do again and better, what it did 1984 to 1989."
And with that historical record offered as a proof of competence, Barrow turned to the future. By his political judgment it is one that will be all about reform and good governance.
Dean Barrow,
"There is no way we will get any kind of popular support for adjustment except we prove to people that we are serious about good governance."
And what he calls the first plank of his party's manifesto is this 12 point reform agenda contained in a brochure which the party launched today. Included among those points are an empowering the Senate as an oversight body.
Dean Barrow,
"Promulgate new standing orders of the Senate providing for standing committees and arming them with powers to summon members of the Executive on a routine basis in order to consider in a regular, continuing, open fashion the policies, operations and spending practices of all departments of government. The Senate will also be endowed with the authority to initiate its own motion, formal public inquiries into concerns or complaints of abuse, mismanagement or corruption."
A law that will allow for the impeachment of a leader:
Dean Barrow,
"Enshrine and entrench in the constitution or a special law an effective mechanism by which the Prime Minister may for good and sufficient reason be impeached and removed and office."
And when the whole government not just the leader is bad:
Dean Barrow,
"Enshrine and entrench in the constitution or a special law an effective mechanism by which a majority of electors in the constituency or the country can demand and vote for the recall of any elected official or o the entire government of the day."
And to make sure those in government do not get to the point where the voting populace would wish them recalled.
Dean Barrow,
"Pass an unjust enrichment law that will make ministers of government and elected officials liable to prosecution, conviction, and incarceration for the acquisition of assets and visible wealth, or the practice of a lifestyle, that cannot be sourced to or justified by with the onus of such justification on the ministers and elected officials reference to official salary or private means that are established, legitimate and without conflict of interest."
And what's more, elected representatives would be given enough to serve their constituencies:
Dean Barrow,
"Enshrine as law the principle of equitability in the allocation of constituency resources by government to all members of the House of Representatives so that all representatives will be treated equally in the service of their constituencies."
And while those are the twelve reforms, truth is a good many of them further reform initial reform carried out by the Musa administration in the past 7 years. Barrow says that those reforms however were insubstantial.
Dean Barrow,
"The only other time there can be a referendum in this country is when the ruling party, when the executive decides. That is reform? The Senate, there had to be a special dispensation to allow the Senate even to proceed with the investigation into S.S.B., and as things now stand, I am telling you, the Senate has no power to summon Troy Gabb, to summon Mr. Glenn Godfrey; none what so ever. That is reform? No, no."
And Barrow conceded that reform is more than just new laws in the books, it is a culture - one which he claims his party has embraced.
Dean Barrow,
"We in the UDP have I think, certainly the leadership of the UDP, made it clear that if those who aspire for candidacy are not serious about a personal commitment to reform, they need not apply."
But Barrow stressed that no reform will be needed to string up those who've stolen from the public purse.
Dean Barrow,
"There is no statute of limitations on what has been done so already there are current, these are special laws we are talking about, but already there are current laws that will, can, and must sustain the prosecution of those that have made with our resources. I am saying that there is as well in place the international mechanism to get after monies that they have spirited away and that are in bank accounts abroad."
And that kind of hardline rhetoric, perhaps more than reform, is what may prove more exciting the electorate than even a book full of reform.
Presenting its manifesto one plank at a time, the UDP will unveil its plan for what it calls "economic reconstruction" in the next two weeks.
